Title: "After Ecbatana"

Author: Baliansword

Chapter: 3, "Night in Ecbatana"

A/N: Still don't own anything. Thank you for reading though, please review if you have time, I always enjoy hearing from readers!

After reading a letter, which appeared to never end Alexander tossed the scroll down and rubbed his eyes. He then stood, needing to get out of this room, but really needing to get back to Hephaestion. The king left his own chambers and made his way to Hephaestion's door. He opened the door and quietly entered, not wanting to wake Hephaestion if he slept, but as he approached the bed knew that he need not worry. Hephaestion was already awake, sitting up, and reading a copy of the Iliad in the dim light.

"Alexander," Hephaestion said as he shut the book.

"Are you feeling better," the king asked. Already he thought that Hephaestion was looking better. His color was coming back. The wound on his head was closing. It had been a week since that terrible day when Hephaestion blacked out from his sickness. A physician blamed the heat and the poison in his body. Alexander guessed that the physician must be right, for it seemed likely, and it made sense to him even though he knew nothing about medicine.

"Alexander," Hephaestion said, glancing down for a split moment, before he asked for what he wanted. "I want to go for a walk, with you. I need to get out of bed, I need to move. Please, I am feeling better, and you will be with me should anything happen."

"I did not do such a wonderful time last time, my love."

Hephaestion did not have to say more. He merely had to look at Alexander. His cerulean eyes did all of the talking for him. He needed this, to get out of this room, because it was really what was killing him. Alexander sighed and put his hand out. As Hephaestion pushed the covers away from himself he took the king's hand and let him help him out of bed. He knew, or at least was confident, that he could get out f bed himself. However, if he tripped in the slightest, Alexander would have him back in bed within the second.

Alexander helped steady him. He noticed, however, that Hephaestion was far less foreign to walking than he had been the last time. In fact, he seemed to be doing rather good. He was supporting himself for the most part but Alexander kept his arm around his waist, just in case.

"Where do you wish to go," Alexander asked softly.

Hephaestion thought for a moment but it did not take long for him to decide upon where he wished to go. He told Alexander that he wished to visit the gardens of Ecbatana. He had only seen them briefly before he had become ill. However, as they entered the hallway, a problem arose.

Upon shutting the door Alexander glanced down the hall. Hephaestion had already seen the woman walking with her train. It was obvious in the way that his body tensed that he did not like her. However, she slowed, and put her hand over her growing belly. Hephaestion glanced at her large belly, and thought of Alexander's son growing in her womb. Roxanne swore that it was a son. Hephaestion could only hope that it was, but a daughter would not disappoint Alexander either.

"Hephaestion," she greeted icily. "I see that you are better."

It was apparent that she saw Alexander's arm around Hephaestion's waist. It was also very easy to see that she did not like such a gesture. Yet, what could Alexander do? If he let go of Hephaestion he could likely fall, and on the other hand, he did not want to let him go. He had almost done so one and look what had happened. It would not happen again. The only reason that Roxanne was alive was because she was carrying his child. Otherwise, she would already be in the ground, beneath him where she belonged.

"Yes," Hephaestion replied though as if nothing was wrong. "I am feeling much better thank you. You look well also, my Queen."

Roxanne would have said more. She would have spoken with her husband. However, Alexander gave her a look that silenced her, and she turned back down the hallway. Alexander then made sure to lead Hephaestion in the opposite direction. The loves of his life did not mix, well, if he could now look at Roxanne as a love.

"I still wish you a son," Hephaestion said as they walked down the halls.

Alexander looked at Hephaestion, meeting his eyes briefly, and then looked away. It was hard for him to think of the words to say to such a statement. That was one thing that Alexander had to love about Hephaestion, he at least pretended to understand. He had not been fond of Roxanne, yet had understood Alexander's desire for an heir, and even now he understood why she was still around.

"I will take care of her after the child is born," Alexander replied finally as they turned down another hall. He could see the light at the end, just before the gardens, and was glad that they were almost there. Perhaps the conversation would turn to something else.

The moon was full and bright, shining down on the flowers when they stepped onto the fertile soil of the gardens. Hephaestion stopped and looked around for a moment. He then felt Alexander carefully release him. After Alexander did this, he slowly made his way to a fountain, and sat on the edge. In the night the gardens were lovelier than they were in the day. The colors were not as vibrant, but were magnificent in their own way, in the blacks and silvers of the night.

"Come sit with me," Hephaestion said when Alexander stopped and merely watched him. Upon his request the king came closer. He sat down silently next to Hephaestion, and wondered about their relationship. For so long Hephaestion had been pushed to the side, even though he'd really not noticed it, Alexander knew that it was his fault. Where did they stand now? He wondered as he sat down.

Yet Hephaestion's hand soon was in his, finding its way there without any hesitation, and Alexander ceased to worry. The warmth radiating between them even now was enough to thaw ice. They would never be separated. The last few weeks had been the closest they would ever be the separation, and it would be the last time they grew so close, Alexander vowed this.

"It is beautiful," Alexander mused. Upon doing so Hephaestion turned his head and looked at him. Alexander stared back at him for a moment before he put his hand upon Hephaestion's cheek. He then did what he should have done some time before. The king leaned closer, and pressed his lips lightly against Hephaestion's.

Alexander moved his lower lip, initiating the kiss, and Hephaestion immediately warmed to him. Alexander let go of Hephaestion's hand so that he could wrap his arm around his waist. He then pulled him closer, pressing his mouth even tighter with Hephaestion's, and lightly pressed his fingers deeper into Hephaestion's cheek. Heat soared between the two of them.

"I am sorry," Alexander said as he put his chin upon Hephaestion's shoulder. He let his breath warm Hephaestion's neck. At the same time it aroused Hephaestion, so he would not demand for him to stop. Instead, he put a hand on Alexander's back as to hold him as well.

"I was never angry with you," Hephaestion told him as he held him. He let out a breath of air, a light breath, but it was a breath of love. Hephaestion took a handful of Alexander's hair in his hand, just to feel it, and wrapped it around his fingers as he spoke. "I was jealous of Bagoas at first, and then I was jealous of her, but I was never angry with you."

Alexander pulled away. It was as if the words had stabbed him in the heart. He put a hand on Hephaestion's cheek and kissed his lips lightly. He then met his cerulean eyes with his own dark eyes, and frowned softly.

"Hephaestion," he replied lovingly, "you have nothing to be jealous of. Bagoas, although I care for him, he is not you. I at first thought the experience was wonderful, but because it was new, and now he is nothing. He is just a boy I cannot let go of. And Roxanne is not you either. She has a spirit much like that of my mother, and I thought she would be a good mother for my child. Yet I do not love her."

"I cannot love her," he continued. "I cannot love her because she is not you. Oh Hephaestion, you are the only one that I can love and care for. We are one. Without you I am nothing. When you fell, and hit your head, I thought you were gone. I thought the gods had taken you from me and the thought of it almost killed me. Hephaestion, I love you and only you."

Hephaestion bit his lower lip before leaning forward and placing his lips upon Alexander's. As he kissed him he remembered what it was like to love Alexander. Alexander was the ruler of the world, but at the same time, was the ruler of his heart and soul. Alexander kissed him back and let a hand roam down to his thigh. He pressed his fingers into Hephaestion's thigh and pushed his tongue against Hephaestion's mouth, begging for entrance.

Hephaestion parted his lips and let Alexander delve into him. At the same time, however, Alexander was letting the kiss fade. Hephaestion was still unwell. Kissing him now, after so long it seemed, would only make him crave for more. Yet he could not do all that he wanted to Hephaestion now.

"Hephaestion," he said as this kiss ended, in a series of panting, "I cannot do this to you now. I could not take advantage of you in you weakened state."

Hephaestion only shook his head. He then kissed him again. This time he made it apparent that he wanted more than just this. He wanted to be with Alexander tonight like they had been, as they were when they were younger. He wanted things to be like when they were boys and the way of the world was only little known to them. He wanted this night to be as if they were naïve and had no care of anything else, nothing but each other.

Alexander wished that he could be strong enough to refrain from temptation. He wanted to do the right thing. He wanted to take Hephaestion back to his chambers, get him into bed, and then tell him goodnight. What he lusted for was something far different. Something far more lascivious. As Hephaestion held him close, kissing him, he knew that he could not fool himself. If Hephaestion was well enough, and in honesty he was, he would take him with all of the power in his body.

"Come," Alexander said as he pulled Hephaestion up, while they still kissed. Without taking another step Alexander went back to letting his hands roam up and down Hephaestion's body. He pressed against his firm chest, kissing him all the more firmly, and then grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer. The heat between their bodies united, driving the both of them all the more wild, and Alexander pressed his ever-growing erection against Hephaestion's thighs. Many said the only thing to ever conquer Alexander would be those strong thighs, and Alexander openly agreed, for he would loose to Hephaestion every time.

Alexander moved then, leading them down the hall. They did not get far before he stopped, ducking into the shadows, and began to kiss Hephaestion again. Hephaestion did not mind. Instead he continued to kiss Alexander back, loving the variation between tenderness and passion. After twenty minutes of ducking into corners just to kiss and let hands roam quietly they made it to Alexander's chambers. Hephaestion could not say that he missed his own rooms.

Alexander slammed the door shut and then let both hands go to Hephaestion's cheeks. He pulled him close, kissing him with all the passionate ire he had. Hephaestion put both hands on Alexander's waist and pulled his hips closer to him. He then let Alexander's hands find their way to the bottom of his shirt, and let his lover pull the garment over his head. Alexander instantaneously tossed the shirt to the side, not needing it. He then let his fingers rove over the muscles of Hephaestion's chest.

Alexander then put an arm around Hephaestion and pulled him impossibly close. The other hand he put on the back of his neck so that he could pull their lips even closer together. As he did so Hephaestion's fingers found their way to the tie of Alexander's robes. He pulled the tie, letting the robe fall open. Hephaestion felt Alexander slide away from him. He then began kissing the base of his neck. When he scraped his teeth against the soft flesh of his neck, Hephaestion let out a small gasp of pleasure.

Hephaestion put a hand on either of Alexander's shoulders and pushed the robe off of Alexander's body. It crumpled and fell to the floor in a spiral of dark red silk. Alexander now stood before him in all of his golden beauty. Hephaestion, upon seeing him, let his lips trace a line from the king's neck to his chest. He craned his head and kissed at the muscles in the king's upper chest. When he came to one of his hardened nipples Hephaestion ran his tongue in a circle around his soft light skin. Then, as a playful gesture, he bit him. Alexander cried out in a surprised cry of euphoria.

Hephaestion only continued to kiss down the center of the king's chest. He came to his navel, and playfully licked at him. Then, with his hands on Alexander's chest, he slid even further down. Yet as he did he felt as if gravity was trying to pull him in another direction. Suddenly he was rather light headed. However, instead of doing as planned, Alexander reached down for him. Alexander pulled him up with a hand and pressed his lips firmly against his lover's, heatedly letting his tongue roam around Hephaestion's mouth.

After a moment Alexander led Hephaestion backward. He pushed him down onto the bed, yet at the same time remained careful. He still knew that Hephaestion was weak and did not want to risk harming him. In another second Alexander was on all fours, crawling on top of Hephaestion. He let his wildly long hair fall onto Hephaestion's chest as he kissed him. Hephaestion let a small laugh out, for it tickled terribly.

There was then a sudden knock at the door. Alexander kissed at Hephaestion's chest for another moment before the knock came again. Sighing, Alexander stopped and lifted his head. Instead of kissing him he ran the tips of his fingers over Hephaestion's chest to tease him.

"What," Alexander screamed out.

All knew that saying such did not mean that one was aloud to enter. However, when the door opened and a blur of clothing entered the room, Alexander did not attack anyone. He would likely do so if it had been someone that was not carrying the heir to his throne. As soon as she slammed the door shut and looked up, and far across the room, Roxanne froze.

Hephaestion and Alexander had frozen as well. However, Alexander did not seem embarrassed in the least about his nudity. Hephaestion on the other hand found himself siding further down so that Alexander's thigh could hide most of his manhood. Nevertheless, he knew that within a few moments things were going to get heated. This was not the first time Roxanne had found them in an inappropriate and suggestive scene.

"So this is where you were," Roxanne hissed as she approached.

"It is none of your concern," Alexander shot back. He removed his arms from the bed and sat further back so that he was more comfortable. He also looked like he was ready to pounce. Hephaestion on the other hand was still pinned beneath Alexander and could not move.

"What do I tell our son," she continued. "Do I tell him that I was his vessel, but his father is a cheap Macedonian whore?"

Just like that Alexander was off of Hephaestion, and the bed, and was in Roxanne's face. He grabbed her neck, applying pressure with his thumb, and stared at her with eyes of fire. Hephaestion got up in this time and pulled a sheet around himself and tied it. At least this way he would be able to help Roxanne should she need it, even though she did not deserve it really. But the unborn child should not be harmed.

"Never," screamed Alexander, "speak of Hephaestion in such a way again. Do you understand me!"

Roxanne pushed him suddenly. Then with the furry of only a women scorned she clawed at Alexander. She slapped him even, and instead of attacking her like he wanted, he tried to grab her wrists. After a moment he had both wrists, but Roxanne still twisted and tried to fight with him.

"Stop," Alexander ordered as he pulled Roxanne closer. Instead of listening she continued to thrash. So Alexander, who was by far stronger, lifted her off of the ground. He went to the door, and pulled it open as he let Roxanne go, and threw her out of the room. She fell to the floor in a pile of material and Alexander shut the door. This time he made sure to lock the door.

"What do you think she will say," Hephaestion asked with a raised eyebrow. Alexander did not seem at all worried. In honesty, Hephaestion knew where he stood with the other men already, so he was not worried about a scandal.

"I think they know of my love for you," Alexander responded, taking the words from Hephaestion's mind it seemed. He then came closer, and kissed Hephaestion lightly on the lips. He knew that what they had been approaching would not again be the same tonight. So he suggested something else. "Come lay with me."

Hephaestion crawled into the bed with Alexander. He draped one arm over Alexander's waist. The other he put on Alexander's cheek. The back of his hand sank lightly into the soft pillows. Alexander kissed his forehead and then Hephaestion closed his eyes slowly. He was usually the first to go to sleep after their nights of passion. Alexander would tell him of his dreams as he fell asleep. Yet tonight was different. All Alexander uttered before he fell asleep were three words. I-love-you.